Residents near Nicaraguan volcano evacuated

Dec. 26, 2012
|

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - Nicaraguan authorities say they've ordered the evacuation of some 300 families living on the flanks of the country's highest volcano after it began spewing hot gas and ash Tuesday.

Federal government spokeswoman and first lady Rosario Murillo told a local radio station that a yellow alert was declared Wednesday in a 1.8-mile radius around the San Cristobal volcano to allow the evacuation of residents who would be at highest risk during a significant eruption.

Murillo said 15 eruptions had been recorded over the last day at the volcano northeast of the capital of Managua. She said the volcano has emitted regular small eruptions, but larger ones are unpredictable. Authorities had wanted to move the closest residents away from the volcano as a precaution.